The Lemon Index2007 Mazda3.
The 2007 Mazda3 is better than average by owner complaints: 62 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 58, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 27 mpg combined. The best Mazda3 year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 222 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mazda3 year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 108K miles on the car (182 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 42K–125K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 24K–105K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 56K–121K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2021
During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
- steering 2010
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008.
- equipment 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mazda3 told dealers about
Mazda3 sent dealers 225 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine stall and hesitation after start-up under high ambient temperature
- Heavy steering effort/power steering fluid leakage
- Variable valve timing (vvt) noise when starting engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of electric power steering assist2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
This is a totally fictitious complaint that is unsubstantiated by any fact.
2007 Mazda3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10192511
More owner reports
Car hit on driver's side by car traveling at approx 30 mph with no deployment of side air bags.
NHTSA complaint 10201174
Airbag failed to deploy in an accident where I hit another car (my front end hit her tail end). I hit the other person's car doing approximately 40 mph and came to a dead stop on impact.
NHTSA complaint 10228751
Quick answers
Is the 2007 Mazda3 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 58; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda3 year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2007 Mazda3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (31%), airbags (19%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Mazda3 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Mazda3 get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Mazda3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,800 and 108,500 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 182 complaints.
Does the 2007 Mazda3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2007 Mazda3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Mazda3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda3 year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works